We have started the week with good news; there were no new COVID-19 cases reported on Monday and that some of those undergoing treatment or are in quarantine could be discharged this week. It has been quite a difficult time for many since the lockdown. Some found it difficult to adapt to the social-distancing advice even though proper hand-washing has been largely adopted, not just the five-second wetting of the hands. But most importantly, people supported the call to help those most vulnerable with many donations coming from all over the country. The Diaspora is also mobilizing funds through their organization, Rwanda Community Abroad, which will be channeled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many outsiders have been wondering how the country could mobilise so quickly in the midst of a surprise pandemic, but there is nothing to it really. The infrastructure was already in place through the social stratification programme under Ubudehe, so distribution and identification of those most vulnerable was easy. However, the Ministry of Local government and its affiliate agencies and structures need to communicate clearly to local authorities to avoid what was witnessed in some of the distribution centres. Instead of local authorities going door-to-door as had been suggested people swarmed their local offices in stark disregard for safety. In one instance, crowds in Kicukiro District went out of control as they scrambled for the aid and local leaders were overwhelmed. It was definitely a failure by local authorities that should not be repeated otherwise the “stay at home” directive to avoid mass gatherings loses all meaning. It is understandable that in times like these, people tend to become desperate because they are dealing with the unknown; that is where true leadership is displayed.
